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Central Europe Rally: Czech Ales Loprais takes the bronze in the CER.

For the second time of his two big rally participations, the Czech Tatra-Pilot Ales Loprais places on the podium. The Dutchman Van Ginkel defeated his second place successfully and so Loprais Tatra Team receives a trophy for the bronze position at the end. The seventh and the last stage of Central Europe Rally was run on the same track as the previous two, only in the opposite direction, so that nobody could further make use of the potential knowledge of the route. "It is a fantastic mixture of trails running in and out. Those who got into navigation troubles and did not find their way straight ahead had really huge problems as they could also get on the race track in the opposite direction. Fortunately, it was not our case," navigator Ladislav Lala said.

"On the last day the only chance to grab the silver would be Van Ginkel’s mistake or technical problems. At Dakar 2007 this was the case, today he had more luck than then. The last three stages were "full throttle‘ ones and I think the power of his vehicle got a better use. However, I think we were capable to take the second place but given the circumstances, especially the problems in the second stage, the result is a maximum of the possible," Ales Loprais concluded at the finish ceremony in Balatonfüred.

Ales‘ crew had to slow down a bit in the final stage after repeated problems with brakes, which have to be tuned up after the race.

Also Ales‘ father and team manager, Milan Loprais, was shining with satisfaction. "It is clear the vehicle’s development has gone the right way and the step forward is really significant. But our contenders haven’t slept either, one must add. Openly said, Tatra is the best vehicle of the rally with a valid homologation as the two vehicles in front of us do not have it yet. We are still dedicated to follow the way of valid homologations and quality preparations. We have gathered many ideas how to push the truck’s development still further."